Robin Martin
Re-introduction of fluoride fires up opponents
There were passionate scenes at the New Plymouth council chambers as councillors came under attack for allowing fluoride to be put back in the district's water supply.
Anti-fluoride placards were… Audio
Tenant shocked mouldy rental passed Healthy Homes
A New Plymouth solo mum, whose three kids are camping out in the living room to avoid their cold, damp and mouldy bedrooms, is dismayed her rental passed a Healthy Homes inspection.
This despite the… Audio
Million dollar makeovers to leave lasting legacy at World Cup venues
Communal showers, urinals and pitches knee-deep in mud will be a thing of the past for many kiwi footballers. There's been a $20 million investment in 30 sporting facilities around the country ahead… Video, Audio
Emergency provider not expecting much from council survey
A New Plymouth emergency housing provider says a council survey asking what can be done about the city's housing crisis feels like a cruel joke.
The council is asking residents for feedback on five… Audio
Former IWD worker raises questions over his baby's death
A former employee of a controversial chemical plant in New Plymouth wonders if the death of his first child from spina bifida was related to his time working there.
The multi-national company Dow is… Audio
Around the motu : Robin Martin in Taranaki
The New Plymouth District Council has pushed ahead with an average rates rise of 12.4 percent despite being faced with an at times hostile Civic Centre crowd. Robin also has the latest on what's… Audio
Dow surveys handling of chemical handling at Paritutu plant
A former employee at a controversial chemical plant in New Plymouth has described working inside a reactor wearing little more than overalls and rubber gloves for protection.
Dow, an American… Audio
Indoor bowlers don cape and tights for Wacky Wednesday
It's been Wacky Wednesday at the National Indoor Bowls Championship being played out in New Plymouth this week. And that meant many bowlers ditched the club polo for a cape and tights. Our Taranaki… Video, Audio
New Plymouth pushes ahead with double digit rates rise
The New Plymouth District Council has pushed ahead with an average rates rise of 12.4 percent despite being faced with an - at times - hostile Civic Centre crowd. They were fired up by revelations… Audio
Yarrow Stadium owners stay mum over project update
The Taranaki Regional Council is holding its cards close to its chest ahead of an announcement on the rebuild of the East Stand at New Plymouth's Yarrow Stadium.
As construction costs rise around the… Audio
Luxon's 'back on track' tour draws many older voters in New Plymouth
Christopher Luxon hastily added a second session to National's "Get New Zealand Back on Track" roadshow in New Plymouth today as party faithfull spilled out into the car park of the Plymouth Hotel.
… Audio
Former professional rugby player tackles art of charcuterie
Following a decade-long professional rugby career in France, Mikaera Te Whata didn't join the media, open a sports store or head back to the family farm.
Instead, a love of French cuisine inspired… Audio
Busted parking meters no barrier to issuing fines
Drivers in New Plymouth are crying foul over the council continuing to issue parking tickets in the CBD despite almost half its meters not working properly.
Some machines have crashed completely… Audio
Boutique beef producer aims to cut deals at summit
A boutique Taranaki beef producer is hoping to cut fresh export deals at a summit for young business leaders in Thailand this week.
Green Meadows Beef is a family-run operation which farms Angus… Audio
Around the motu: Robin Martin in New Plymouth
The developers of a proposed offshore windfarm in the South Taranaki Bight say it will create hundreds of jobs and require the building of a new port at Patea. A protest in Stratford against rising… Audio
EPA under fire about 'harmful discharge' at Kupe
The Environmental Protection Authority is under fire for withholding information about a leak at a suspended oil and gas well-head at Kupe off the coast of Taranaki. It's taken five years, two… Audio
Yarrow Stadium hosts Super Rugby for first time since 2017
Super rugby returns to Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth tomorrow for the first time since 2017.
Six years ago both covered stands were declared an earthquake risk and the stadium is halfway through a… Audio
Stratford rates protest causes stink
A protest against rates rises is causing a stink in Stratford where a disgruntled ratepayer has dumped the rotting corpse of a goat at the council's front door.
The action distressed staff and has… Audio
Civil defence warning Taranaki to prepare for heavy rain
Taranaki civil defence emergency management is encouraging people to take time get prepared ahead of expected heavy rainfall. MetService have issued an Orange- Heavy Rain warning for the Taranaki… Audio
Tobacco industry targeting children via vapes - New Plymouth Mayor
New Plymouth's mayor says New Zealand needs to take a leaf out of Australia's book and tighten up vaping regulations.
Australia is limiting vape flavours, bringing in "pharmaceutical-style"… Audio